Three dimensional geometrical puzzle

ABSTRACT

A handheld puzzle is described. The puzzle reduces friction between moveable pieces and at the same time allows for restrained alignment of the moveable pieces. An inner core of the puzzle can be adapted for use with a plurality of outer moveable face pieces that can comprise a variety of surface geometries.

SCOPE

This invention relates to puzzles in general and to mechanical hand-heldpuzzles more particularly.

BACKGROUND

Many known mechanical puzzles utilize moving elements. In someembodiments, the moving elements are shifted relative to each other toobtain a desired pattern or graphical display. Many of the known designsimplement mechanical elements in a manner that a desired pattern orgraphical display is difficult to achieve and/or maintain. Suchdifficulties include binding and/or overly loose relative movements ofthe elements, which in some instances may be caused by overly complexmechanical designs. Some of the known designs utilize the moveablepieces to reconstruct or assemble two-dimensional patterns or pictures,but these implementations are typically uninteresting.

What is needed, therefore, is a mechanical hand-held puzzle thatcomprises elements that may be moved relative to each other to achieve adesired pattern or graphical display in a manner that improves uponprior mechanical hand-held puzzles.

FIGURES

In FIG. 1, there is seen an exploded three-dimensional view of amechanical hand-held puzzle;

In FIG. 2, there is seen a puzzle that includes a plurality of moveableface pieces that give a puzzle an outward octagonal shape;

In FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, and 3 c there is seen a top, bottom, and sidecross-sectional side view of one or more moveable mainframe as used withmoveable face pieces that give a puzzle an outward octagonal shape;

In FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, and 3 c there is seen a top, bottom, and sidecross-sectional side view of one or more moveable mainframe as used withmoveable face pieces that give a puzzle an outward cylindrical shape;

In FIG. 4, there is seen a puzzle that includes a plurality of moveableface pieces that give a puzzle an outward cylindrical shape; and

In FIG. 5, there is seen a puzzle that includes one or more moveableface piece that gives a puzzle an outward three-dimensional shape.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a three-dimensional puzzle comprises at least twomoveable mainframes, each movable mainframe defined by a bore, a top, abottom, and a plurality of sides, wherein a bottom of at least onemoveable mainframe is disposed in an opposing relationship to a top ofat least another moveable mainframe; a shaft, wherein the shaft isdisposed within the bore of each moveable mainframe such that when eachmovable mainframe moved it is constrained to rotationally move about theshaft; a top retainer and a bottom retainer coupled to respective topand bottom portions of the shaft, wherein the top and bottom retainersconstrain the rotational movements of each moveable mainframe to occurbetween the top and bottom retainer; a plurality of moveable facepieces, wherein the number of moveable face pieces is equal to at leastone less than the number of the plurality of sides, and wherein eachmoveable face piece is coupled to at least one of the sides; and atleast one constraint mechanism for providing alignment, separation, andreduced friction between top and bottoms of each adjacently disposedmovable mainframe. In one embodiment, the constraint mechanism comprisesa bearing. In one embodiment, the constraint mechanism is disposedbetween adjacent moveable mainframes. In one embodiment, at least onemoveable mainframe comprises a void, wherein at least one adjacentlydisposed moveable mainframe comprises at least one detent, whereinduring the aligned separation the bearing is disposed within the voidand within a detent. In one embodiment, at least one moveable mainframecomprises a void, wherein at least one adjacently disposed moveablemainframe comprises at least one detent, wherein during a non-alignedseparation the bearing is disposed within the void and outside of adetent. In one embodiment, the constraint mechanism comprises a spring.In one embodiment, each moveable mainframe comprises 8 sides. In oneembodiment, the number of moveable face pieces comprises 39 sides. Inone embodiment, each moveable face piece is coupled to a side of amoveable mainframe by an interlocking type of mechanism. In oneembodiment, the interlocking mechanism comprises a groove or aprotrusion. In one embodiment, an outer surface of at least one moveableface piece comprises a flat geometry. In one embodiment, an outersurface of at least one moveable face piece comprises a curved geometry.In one embodiment, an outer surface of at least one moveable face piececomprises a three-dimensional geometry.

In one embodiment, a shaped puzzle comprises a body, the body having atop and a bottom; and a plurality of moveable pieces, wherein relativeto the body the moveable face pieces comprise an outer three-dimensionalsurface, wherein the moveable pieces are coupled to the body and limitedto movement by the body, and wherein the movement comprises a rotationalor linear movement between the top and bottom. In one embodiment, theshape comprises a cylinder. In one embodiment, the shape comprises amultisided geometry. In one embodiment, the body comprises a pluralityof moveable mainframes disposed about a central shaft, and whereinbetween any two adjacent mainframes there is disposed a bearing.

In one embodiment, a puzzle comprises a body, the body having a top anda bottom; and a plurality of moveable pieces, wherein the moveablepieces are coupled to the body and limited by the body to movement aboutthe body in a rotational direction between the top and bottom, andwherein the body is coupled to moveable face pieces that define an outershaped surface of the puzzle that is cylindrical or multisided. In oneembodiment, the outer shaped surface may be further defined by a threedimensional surface. In one embodiment, the body comprises a pluralityof adjacent moveable mainframes, wherein between any two adjacentmainframes there is disposed a self-aligning friction reducingmechanism.

These and other features and aspects of the present invention will bebetter understood with reference to the following description, figures,and appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of theinvention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawingsand the description to refer to the same or like parts. The drawings arein a simplified form and not necessarily to precise scale. For purposesof convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom,left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front, aswell as other terms, may be used with respect to the accompanyingdrawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed tolimit the scope of the invention in any manner. In addition, the wordscouple, connect, and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes areused interchangeably, unless the difference is noted or made otherwiseclear from the context. Also, it should be understood, these words andexpressions do not necessarily signify direct connections, but mayinclude connections through mediate components and devices.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is seen an exploded three-dimensionalview of a mechanical hand-held puzzle (hereafter referred to as puzzle).In one embodiment, a puzzle 100 comprises at least two moveablemainframes 22, the body of each moveable mainframe 22 defined by a topportion 22 a, the top portion defined by a top periphery 22 aa; a bottomportion 22 b, the bottom portion defined by a bottom periphery 22 bb;and one or more side portions 22 c, wherein adjacent side portions arecoupled to each other and to respective edges of top and bottom portions22 a and 22 b. In one embodiment, the moveable mainframes 22 comprise atopmost (front most in FIG. 1) moveable mainframe 22 and a bottommost(backmost) moveable mainframe 22. In one embodiment, other than at abottom portion 22 b of the bottommost moveable mainframe, the bottomportion of each moveable mainframe 22 is disposed against, or is inclose proximity to, a top portion 22 a of an adjacent mainframe. In oneembodiment, the puzzle 100 further comprises a shaft 13, whereby theshaft is disposed within a respective bore 14 such that it passescentrally through each movable mainframe 22. In one embodiment, eachmainframe 22 may be formed of a solid, wherein bore 14 passes throughthe solid in its entirety. In one embodiment, the moveable mainframe 22may be defined by interconnected top, bottom, side portions 22 a, 22 b,22 c, and bore 14, each of which may comprise a thickness such that theinterconnected parts encompass a hollow portion formed within thestructure of the moveable mainframe.

Top and bottom portions 22 a and 22 b of each moveable mainframe 22 maybe defined by a geometry, which in one embodiment is a multisidedgeometry. In one embodiment, the multisided geometry can be describedwith reference to a geometry of the top and bottom peripheries 22 aa and22 bb. In one embodiment, the top and bottom peripheries 22 aa and 22 bbdefine respective edges of top and bottom portions 22 a and 22 b. InFIG. 1, it is seen the edges themselves may comprise a geometry, forexample a contiguous non-linear geometry. In one embodiment, eachmovable mainframe 22 comprises an 8 sided geometry (i.e. an octagon),with each side of the octagon defined by the edge geometries of top andbottom peripheries 22 a and 22 bb.

Each side portion 22 c of each moveable mainframe 22 can also bedescribed by a geometry. In one embodiment, each side portion 22 ccomprises edges 22 cc, which in FIG. 1 are illustrated by an exemplaryside portion 22 c. In one embodiment, each side portion 22 c is coupledto respective edges 22 aa and 22 bb of respective top and bottomportions 22 a and 22 b, as well as to edges 22 cc of adjacent sideportions. In one embodiment, when viewed at a cross-section at any pointbetween the top and bottom portion 22 a and 22 b, each side portion 22 ccomprises the same non-linear geometry as that of edges 22 aa and 22 bb.In other words, in the illustrated embodiment, each mainframe 22 can bedescribed as an octagon having a top, a bottom, and 8 sides, with eachof the 8 sides comprising a non-planar feature on its surface, the nonplanar feature extending along a length of each of the sides. In oneembodiment, the non-planar feature disposed on each surface of each sideportion 22 c of each moveable mainframe 22 comprises a longitudinallydisposed (from top to bottom) channel, groove, wedge, or the like(hereafter referred to as coupling portion 17 a).

Referring further to FIG. 1, there are seen three-dimensional views of amoveable face piece 25. In one embodiment, each moveable face 25includes a plurality of surfaces. In one embodiment, an outer surface(relative to the center bore) of each movable face piece has thereondisposed or implemented a pattern. In one embodiment, an inner surfaceof each movable face piece has thereon disposed or implemented acoupling portion 17 b. In one embodiment the coupling portion 17 b ismeant to provide a coupling function such that when mated to moveablemainframes 22 via coupling portions 17 a, movement of the moveable facepiece 25 is constrained by the coupling portion 17 a. In an embodimentwherein the movable mainframes 22 are comprised of a solid, the couplingportions 17 a may be formed within the solid. In an embodiment whereinthe movable mainframes 22 are comprised of sides of some thickness, thecoupling portions 17 a may be formed within the thickness. In oneembodiment, a geometry of a coupling portion 17 a may comprise a reversegeometry to that of the coupling portion 17 b; in other words, ifcoupling portion 17 a comprises a longitudinal channel, coupling portion17 b may comprise a longitudinal protrusion. In FIG. 1, couplingportions 17 a are seen to comprise a wedged groove, and coupling portion17 b comprises a shaped protrusion, whereby when the protrusion 17 b isslideably inserted within the wedged groove 17 a, an interlockingdovetail type fit occurs. Such an interlocking fit may be used to limitmovement of the moveable face piece 25 to occur along a longitudinal topto bottom orientation of the groove. In one embodiment, the describedinterlocking fit may also act to restrain moveable face piece 25 againsta particular moveable mainframe 22 so as to keep the face piece fromfalling off during its movement. Although not illustrated, it isunderstood that the coupling portions used with moveable face piece 25and moveable mainframes 22 may be reversed in geometry, and yet providea same or similar functionality. For example, in one embodiment,coupling portion 17 b could comprise a longitudinal channel and couplingportions 17 a could comprise a longitudinal protrusion.

Referring now to FIG. 2, and other Figures as needed, there is seen apuzzle 100 that includes a plurality of moveable face pieces 25. In oneembodiment, the number of moveable face pieces 25 is equal to one lessthan the number of movable mainframes 22 times the number of sideportions 22 c each mainframe is comprised of. For example, in oneembodiment, where there are 5 moveable mainframes, and where eachmainframe has 8 side portions, puzzle 100 comprises 39 moveable facepieces; in other words, there are ((5×8)−1) movable face pieces.

In one embodiment, the puzzle 100 further includes a top retainer 11 aand a bottom retainer 11 b. In one embodiment, each retainer is coupledto respective top and bottom portions of a shaft 13. In one embodiment,the retainers 11 a and 11 b are fastened to the respective top andbottom ends of the shaft 13 by stoppers 9, or other means known to thoseskilled in the fastener arts, for example, screws, rivets, adhesive,interlocking fittings, and the like. The top and bottom retainers 11 a-bact to retain and restrain movements of the moveable mainframes 22 andattached moveable face pieces 25 to rotational movements about the shaft13, and longitudinal movements within fixed limits imposed by theretainers 11 a and 11 b.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, as well as other Figures as needed,operation and use of puzzle 100 is described generically and is intendedto cover embodiments described herein, as well other embodiments thatfall within the scope of the Claims that follow. In one embodiment, themoveable mainframes 22, and therefore the moveable face pieces coupledto the mainframes, may be individually rotated about shaft 13 within arange of 360 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise. Each movable facepiece 25 is also moveable in a shuffle like manner by individual up ordown movements of individual face pieces, for example, from one alignedcoupling portion 17 a of one moveable mainframe 22 to another unoccupiedaligned coupling portion 17 a of another moveable mainframe 22. In otherwords, movement of a movable face piece 25 may occur when couplingportions 17 a of two adjacent moveable mainframes 22 are in alignmentwith each other; or when a moveable mainframe 22 that the moveable facepiece 25 is coupled to is rotated about shaft 13. The described up downshuffle like movement of a moveable face piece is intended to occur onlywhen a coupling portion 17 a of an adjacent moveable mainframe 22 isunoccupied. Because the number of moveable face pieces is one less thanthe number of side portions 22 c, or equivalently one less than thenumber of coupling portions 17 a, only one moveable face piece 25 may bemoved longitudinally along the puzzle 100 at any given time (unless awhole or part of an aligned row of moveable pieces is moved at onetime). In one embodiment, movement of the moveable face pieces 25effectuates alignment of patterns or geometries disposed on outersurfaces of the face pieces into a desired configuration. In oneembodiment, a desired configuration comprises an arrangement of colors.In one embodiment, a desired configuration comprises a two-dimensionpicture or graphical representation. In one embodiment, a desiredconfiguration comprises a three-dimensional topography.

Referring now to FIG. 3 a, 3 b, and 3 c, and other Figures as needed,there is seen a top, bottom, and side cross-sectional side view of oneor more moveable mainframe. It has been identified by the presentinventor that rotational movement of one moveable mainframe 22 relativeto another mainframe, as well as movement of one face piece 25 relativeto other face pieces, can be enhanced over that of known solutions. Inone embodiment, adjacent moveable mainframes 22 of puzzle 100 havedisposed therebetween one or more self aligning friction reducingmechanism 95 that may be used to maintain self alignment of one moveablemainframe 22 relative to another adjacent mainframe, as well tocontrollably maintain alignment of the coupling portions 17 a relativeto each other. As described later, mechanisms 95 also effectuate areduction in friction that can be caused by a surface to surface contactof adjacent moveable mainframes 22. Accordingly, in this manner smoothaccurate alignment and movement of the movable mainframes 22 and facepieces 25 is enabled, and user interaction with the puzzle 100 isenhanced.

In one embodiment, a topmost moveable mainframe 22 comprises at a bottomportion 22 b at least one void 18, and a bottommost movable mainframe 22at a top portion 22 a comprises one or more of detent 21. In oneembodiment, each moveable mainframe 22 between the topmost andbottommost moveable mainframe 22 comprises at a bottom portion 22 b atleast one void 18, and at a top portion 22 a one or more detents 21. Inone embodiment, the number of detents 21 at a top portion 22 a of amoveable mainframe 22 is the same number as the number of side portions22 c, for example, with 8 side portions 22 c a moveable mainframe 22comprises 8 detents. In one embodiment, the detents 21 are disposed atan equal radius from a center of a respective top portion 22 a and suchthat they are separated by angles that are determined by the followingrelationship, 360 degrees divided by the number of detents. In anembodiment with eight detents, the detents are disposed at intervals of45 degrees. In one embodiment, each void 18 is disposed in a respectivebottom portion 22 b such that when coupling portions 17 a of twoadjacent moveable mainframes 22 are in alignment, a respective void 18is in an aligned and opposing relationship to a detent 21 of an adjacentmoveable mainframe, or visa-versa.

In one embodiment, within each void 18 is disposed a self-aligningfriction reducing mechanism 95. In one embodiment, each mechanism 95comprises a bearing 20, for example, a ball bearing. In one embodiment,each mechanism 95 further comprises a spring 19 functionally disposed.against a bearing 20. In one embodiment, the puzzle 100 is assembled andused such that when a void 18 of one moveable mainframe 22 is in analigned and opposing relationship to a detent 21 of an second adjacentmoveable mainframe, the coupling portions 17 a of the adjacent movablemainframes, as well as the adjacent mainframes themselves, aremaintained in a secured aligned relationship. When aligned in thismanner, some or all of the positions of the face pieces or moveablemainframes may be secured during movements of other face pieces and/orother moveable mainframes. In one embodiment, the puzzle 100 isassembled and used such that when a void 18 of a respective movablemainframe 22 is in a non-aligned and opposing relationship to a detent21 of an adjacent moveable mainframe (i.e., the coupling portions 17 aof adjacent moveable mainframes are not aligned), the spring 19 of arespective mechanism 95 exerts a force onto a respective bearing 20 soas to position the bearing against a smooth surface of top portion 22(i.e. part of top portion 22 not comprised of detents). In theaforementioned embodiments of use, when coupling portions 17 a are notaligned (typically, when an end user is rotating moveable mainframesrelative to each other) the mechanisms 95 may act to separate respectiveadjacent moveable mainframes 22 by some small amount. It is identifiedthe large potential surface to surface frictional contact can, thus, beavoided and/or reduced, which in the case of a bearing is reduced by theminimized rolling contact that would occur between the bearing andsurfaces of the movable mainframes 22.

Referring now to FIG. 4 and other Figures as needed, there is seen apuzzle 100 that includes a plurality of moveable face pieces 24. In oneembodiment, moveable face pieces 24 may comprise coupling portions 17 b.Moveable face pieces 24 provide similar functionality to that describedwith reference to moveable face pieces 25, but differ from moveable facepieces 25 in that their outer surfaces comprise a different geometry.

The present inventor has identified that one advantage of the puzzle 100is derived from a feature that allows puzzle 100 to be easily configuredto comprise a plurality of configurations or geometries. As seen in theembodiment of FIG. 4, with a simple replacement of face pieces 25comprising a flat surface geometry, with moveable face pieces 24comprising a curved surface geometry, a puzzle 100 with a curvedgeometry may be provided. In a manufacturing environment, such easyinterchangeability of the moveable face pieces may be used to facilitatea reduction in puzzle 100 manufacturing costs. For example, with thepresent invention, only one basic combination of components need beinventoried (mainframe 22, shaft 13, retainers 11, mechanisms 95). Inone embodiment, a standardized core of components can, therefore, beused to construct a plurality of different puzzle products, for example,octagonal, hexagonal, cylindrical, or other shaped puzzles.

Further to this end, in other embodiments, it is identified that theouter surface of the movable face pieces may comprise a flat portion, acurved portion, or a combination thereof. The present inventor hasidentified that the outer surface of the moveable face pieces describedherein may also be configured to comprise a surface geometry that isthree dimensional rather than two-dimensional. For example, in oneembodiment, instead of displaying a two-dimensional picture or patternon an outer surface of a moveable face piece, the inventor envisionsthat outer surfaces of one or more moveable face piece of embodiments ofthe puzzle disclosed herein may comprise a three-dimensional relief orcontour. Accordingly, in FIG. 5, there is seen a cross-section of amovable face piece 26 comprising a three dimensional surface. It isidentified that, one or more movable face piece 26 could also be usedwith the core structure of components described above. Using one or moreprinciples described herein, three dimensional moveable face pieces 26could be used by an end user of a puzzle 100 to reconstruct or arrangethe moveable face pieces into a desired three dimensional surfacepattern, for example, as a map, a face, an animal figure, or other threedimensional topography.

Neither the specific embodiments of the invention as a whole, nor thoseof its features limit the general principles underlying the invention.The features described herein may be used in some embodiments, but notin others, without departure from the spirit and scope of the inventionas set forth. Many additional modifications are intended in theforegoing disclosure, and it will be appreciated by those of ordinaryskill in the art that in some instances some features of the inventionwill be employed in the absence of a corresponding use of otherfeatures. The metes and bounds of the invention and the legalprotections afforded the invention should therefore be interpreted withreference to the claims and their legal equivalents.

1. A three-dimensional puzzle, comprising: at least two moveablemainframes, each movable mainframe defined by a bore, a top, a bottom,and a plurality of sides, wherein a bottom of at least one moveablemainframe is disposed in an adjacent relationship to a top of at leastanother moveable mainframe, and wherein movements of each movablemainframe are constrained to rotational movements about the bore; a topretainer and a bottom retainer coupled to respective top and bottomportions of the shaft, wherein the top and bottom retainers constrainrotational movement of each moveable mainframe to occur between the topand bottom retainer; a plurality of moveable face pieces, wherein thenumber of moveable face pieces is equal to at least one less than thenumber of the plurality of sides, and wherein each moveable face pieceis coupled to at least one of the sides; and at least one constraintmechanism for providing alignment, separation, and reduced frictionbetween top and bottoms of each adjacently disposed movable mainframe.2. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the constraint mechanism comprises abearing.
 3. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the constraint mechanism isdisposed between adjacent moveable mainframes.
 4. The puzzle of claim 3,wherein at least one moveable mainframe comprises a void, wherein atleast one adjacently disposed moveable mainframe comprises at least onedetent, wherein during the aligned separation of adjacent moveablemainframes the bearing is disposed within the void and within a detent.5. The puzzle of claim 3, wherein at least one moveable mainframecomprises a void, wherein at least one adjacently disposed moveablemainframe comprises at least one detent, wherein during non-alignedseparation of two adjacent moveable mainframes the bearing is disposedwithin the void and outside of a detent.
 6. The puzzle of claim 1,wherein the constraint mechanism comprises a spring.
 7. The puzzle ofclaim 1, wherein each moveable mainframe comprises 8 sides.
 8. Thepuzzle of claim 7, wherein the number of moveable face pieces comprises39 sides.
 9. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein each moveable face piece iscoupled to a side of a moveable mainframe by an interlocking type ofmechanism.
 10. The puzzle of claim 9, wherein the interlocking mechanismcomprises a groove or a protrusion.
 11. The puzzle of claim 1, whereinan outer surface of at least one moveable face piece comprises a flatgeometry.
 12. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of atleast one moveable face piece comprises a curved geometry.
 13. Thepuzzle of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of at least one moveableface piece comprises a three-dimensional geometry.
 14. A shaped puzzlecomprising: a body, the body having a top and a bottom; and a pluralityof moveable pieces, wherein relative to the body the moveable facepieces comprise an outer three-dimensional surface, wherein the moveablepieces are coupled to the body and limited to movement by the body, andwherein the movement comprises a rotational or linear movement betweenthe top and bottom.
 15. The shaped puzzle of claim 14, wherein the shapecomprises a cylinder.
 16. The shaped puzzle of claim 14, wherein theshape comprises a multisided geometry.
 17. The shaped puzzle of claim16, wherein the body comprises a plurality of moveable mainframesdisposed about a central shaft, and wherein between any two adjacentmainframes there is disposed a bearing.
 18. A puzzle comprising: a body,the body having a top and a bottom; and a plurality of moveable pieces,wherein the moveable pieces are coupled to the body and limited by thebody to movement about the body in a rotational direction between thetop and bottom, and wherein the body is coupled to moveable face piecesthat may define an outer shaped surface of the puzzle that iscylindrical or multisided.
 19. The puzzle of claim 18, wherein the outershaped surface of a moveable face piece is a three dimensional surface.20. The puzzle of claim 19, wherein the body comprises a plurality ofadjacent moveable mainframes, and wherein between any two adjacentmainframes there is disposed a self-aligning friction reducingmechanism.